Kane County

Lucky Leprechaun 5K ready to take off in Elmhurst

Published: Wednesday, March 12, 2014 3:04 p.m. CST

Caption

(Bill Ackerman)

The Trinity Irish Dancers float down Spring Road during the St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday in Elmhurst. The dancers will perform again Sunday during the Lucky Leprechaun 5K in downtown Elmhurst. (Bill Ackerman - backerman@shawmedia.com)

By SUBURBAN LIFE MEDIA

ELMHURST – Visitors to downtown Elmhurst on Sunday may be looking for a pot of gold as hundreds of bearded leprechauns race around town.

Racers in the inaugural Lucky Leprechaun 5K will race the streets of downtown Elmhurst beginning at 9 a.m. Free race shirts, leprechaun hats and beards were given out to the first wave of registrants for the event.

While runners, walkers and even strollers will participate, onlookers and cheerleaders can enjoy John Corcoran playing the bagpipes across the start line. The award-winning Trinity Irish Dancers also will perform on the main stage adjacent to City Centre just after the start of the race, according to the race website.

The race steps off and finishes at York and Schiller streets, making a loop around the west side of town. The first-, second- and third-place overall finishers will be recognized as well as first-, second- and third-places in 14 age groups.

The race benefits the Elmhurst YMCA.

Following the USA Track and Field certified race, a group of VIP leprechauns might be seen enjoying a free beer from 10 to 11 a.m. at Pints.

For families, the Leprechaun Lounge will be open to the public from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. for food and drinks. The lounge will be in the Fifth Third Bank parking lot directly across from Pints.